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'Twas the Knife Before Christmas

(Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #2)

Jacqueline Frost,

Allyson Ryan (Narrator)

4.01 · Rating details · 1,627 ratings · 335 reviews

A Christmas delight, 'Twas the Knife Before Christmas will charm the stockings off fans of Joanne Fluke and Leslie Meier.

It's out of the cupcake tin, into the fire for Holly White's best friend, Caroline. Can Holly clear Caroline's name in time to go caroling?

When a body turns up in the dumpster behind Caroline's Cupcakes, Holly White is horrified to learn her best friend, ...more

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Audible Audio, Unabridged, 8 hours and 53 minutes

Published November 13th 2018 by Blackstone Audio, Inc.

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How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore

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Start your review of 'Twas the Knife Before Christmas (A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery, #2)

Dec 14, 2018 James rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 3-multi-book-series, 7-arc-giveaway-won, 2-authors-i-know, 1-fiction

It's Christmastime both in my current reality and in Mistletoe, Maine... but a whole year has passed since the debut book in the 'A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery' series by Jacqueline Frost. This second book, 'Twas the Knife Before Christmas, picks up with Holly's eventual settlement back home, a new friendship with reporter Ray, adventures with best friend Caroline, and romance with sorta boyfriend Evan (the sheriff!). Life's good until Derek, a guy who was too handsy with Caroline, ends up knife It's Christmastime both in my current reality and in Mistletoe, Maine... but a whole year has passed since the debut book in the 'A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery' series by Jacqueline Frost. This second book, 'Twas the Knife Before Christmas, picks up with Holly's eventual settlement back home, a new friendship with reporter Ray, adventures with best friend Caroline, and romance with sorta boyfriend Evan (the sheriff!). Life's good until Derek, a guy who was too handsy with Caroline, ends up knifed in a candy display. Did Caroline kill him in revenge? Her high-powered father? A stalker crush who seems to want to protect her? Or some colleague of Derek's who thought he was a threat? Holly is determined to protect her bestie but she starts getting threatening notes again just like last time. Are the crimes connected?

I won this book through a cozy giveaway, but I went back and ordered the first one on my own so I could be ready and current on the series. I'm thrilled to have stumbled upon it and would definitely recommend the series as a definite holiday read. Holly is a great protagonist who only has a few pushy moments while trying to solve the murder; they're necessary and make her even more relatable. The town is visibly pictured as a result of Frost's wonderful descriptions and writing style. The little fun factors (Theodore the goat, Cindy Lou Who the cat, Cookie the rich neighbor... the list goes on) make it even more enjoyable.

The murder is clever. The list of suspects is believable. The investigation is paced well -- not too slow, not too fast. The way the criminal is captured is kinda cool. And the resolution to all the stories is a great end to the book. I am thrilled about the character of Libby. She seems like she could really be an asset in the town but also shake it up a little. Only 23 but quite smart and worldly already. I'm very excited about this new series but sad I'll have to wait a full year to read the next one. I'm also curious if the series will skip a year again or pick up sometime mid-year. Kudos to the author and publisher for providing a copy thru the giveaway contest. 4.25 stars! ...more

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Feb 10, 2019 Sheri rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019, mystery, 2019-favorites, christmas

A return visit to Mistletoe, Maine is just like going home for Christmas. It’s all there, whether you’re on Main Street bedecked with the trimmings of the season, everyone offering hugs and warm greetings as they rush about trying to finish their holiday shopping, or appreciating mom’s home-baked fresh from the oven cookies and admiring dad’s overzealous outdoor decorations. No matter where you are, you’re surrounded by Christmas and you can’t help but be enveloped by cheer and goodwill.

I thoug ...more

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Nov 12, 2018 Carrie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley

‘Twas the Knife Before Christmas by Jacqueline Frost is the second book of the cozy A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series. Each book in the series has it’s own mystery to be solved so they can be understood as a standalone. However, the characters do return from the first book so there is a bit of character building carried over from book to book.

In the first book of the series Holly White had returned back home to her parents Christmas Tree farm in Mistletoe, Maine after her fiance had broken up ...more

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Dec 26, 2019 Kelly (and the Book Boar) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2019, guilty-pleasure, hallmark-murders-and-mysteries, most-wonderful-time-of-the-year, arcs

Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/

You know what’s better than Hallmark Christmas movies? Hallmark COZY MYSTERY movies. Because those suckas play all damn year long. And Candace Cameron Bure stars in one batch of those too (Real Murders series - books by Charlaine Harris – if curiosity is killin’ yo cat). So does Aunt Becky and I’m soooooo sad that there will be no more Sunday editions of . . . .

Kids ruin everything!

Alright, here’s a little confession. Last Chr ...more

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Dec 28, 2018 Berit☀️✨ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: net-galley, 2018

A charming Christmas cozy dripping with holiday cheer!

A town called mistletoe, a Christmas tree farm called Reindeer Games, and a cat named Cindy Lou Who are just a few of the things that make this a Christmas must read! This is the second book in the Christmas Tree Farm cozy mystery series... it can be read as a standalone, but I would strongly encourage you to read the first book as well! This really is a cozy mystery series packed full of Yuletide joy!

Holly has settled in after being home in ...more

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Jun 06, 2018 Eve (Between The Bookends) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Unfortunately, I didn't quite love this one as much as I did the first book in the series. The mystery aspect was well done. I still really enjoy that setting and the overall festive feeling. It has a great cast of characters. Holly is still a very likable heroine.

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However, the whole Ethan and Holly "romance" was just odd. At the end of the last book they kissed, and it seemed like they were headed towards Coupeville, then at the beginning of this book, you find out that after that kiss they h ...more

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Nov 08, 2018 Juli rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-review-copies-2018

It's Christmastime in Mistletoe, Maine once again. Holly White is gearing up for all the holiday festivities and helping out with the family business, Reindeer Games Christmas Tree Farm. They are renovating and expanding to add an Inn for guests, but construction is way behind schedule. She's also trying to cheer up a friend who just had a really bad experience at a benefit dinner. Her date, the son of a local judge, behaved badly...and they had a fight. To kick off the holiday season, everyone It's Christmastime in Mistletoe, Maine once again. Holly White is gearing up for all the holiday festivities and helping out with the family business, Reindeer Games Christmas Tree Farm. They are renovating and expanding to add an Inn for guests, but construction is way behind schedule. She's also trying to cheer up a friend who just had a really bad experience at a benefit dinner. Her date, the son of a local judge, behaved badly...and they had a fight. To kick off the holiday season, everyone goes to the town's tree lighting ceremony. What should be a fun holiday gimmick -- guessing the number of holiday mints in a giant glass bowl -- turns for the worst when Caroline's handsy date is found dead inside the glass bowl, covered in Christmas candy. Not only is that a terrible waste of lovely mint candy.....but Caroline is a murder suspect. A knife from her cupcake business emblazoned with Caroline's initials is the murder weapon. It might just take a Christmas miracle to prove that Caroline didn't stab Derek.....

This cute, enjoyable holiday cozy mystery got me in the mood for the Christmas season. :) I love the background theme of a Christmas tree farm...especially in a small town named Mistletoe. :) Finding the murder victim in a huge dish of candy was also a nice touch. I wanted the killer arrested not only for killing Derek the Handsy Jerk, but also for ruining the lighting ceremony and huge glass container of candy gimmick. I just kept imagining how pretty that big glass bowl filled with peppermints under all the lights would have been....until a body was stuffed into it. What sort of grinch does something like that? All is revealed by the end of the book! The mints however were a lost cause....

I enjoy this series. The characters are fun...from Holly White the main character clear down to Theodore the pet goat. I'm always a sucker for holiday themed cozy mysteries...and this series never fails to entertain me. The mystery is nicely paced....it's just Christmas-y enough to be fun....and there are enough twists and turns to keep the plot interesting. And, a couple special Christmas miracles are thrown in for good measure. All in all, an enjoyable holiday cozy with lots of feel-good moments. I will definitely continue reading this series!

Ho, ho, ho....Merry Christmas! :)

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Crooked Lane via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. My guess....there were 20,947 candies in the giant bowl before the addition of a Dead Derek.** ...more

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Dec 23, 2018 LORI (Dollycas) CASWELL rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2018

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Mistletoe, Maine, the perfect place to celebrate Christmas. Holly White’s family’s tree farm is a magical place this time of year with its Reindeer Games. All kinds of treats and festivities are planned and a contractor named Christopher has promised their new inn will be ready to open by Christmas Eve.

The first big Mistletoe event is the annual tree lighting. Everyone is gathered in the town square but when the big moment arrives the night turns from Merry to Scary. There, ne Dollycas’s Thoughts

Mistletoe, Maine, the perfect place to celebrate Christmas. Holly White’s family’s tree farm is a magical place this time of year with its Reindeer Games. All kinds of treats and festivities are planned and a contractor named Christopher has promised their new inn will be ready to open by Christmas Eve.

The first big Mistletoe event is the annual tree lighting. Everyone is gathered in the town square but when the big moment arrives the night turns from Merry to Scary. There, next to the tree is a huge candy dish full of peppermint candies and a dead body. The man was stabbed with a monogrammed custom made knife. A knife that belongs to Holly’s best friend Caroline. The deceased is the same man that got handsy with Caroline at a recent dinner and the whole town was witness to her dressing him down. With all the evidence it isn’t long before Caroline is behind bars. Holly knows her friend is no killer, she just has to prove it. But the killer is watching every move Holly makes and leaving her special warning gifts. When the gifts escalate to real harm Holly just hopes she will survive until the killer is caught.

I loved the first book in this series, Twelve Slays of Christmas last year, so I put this book on my reading calendar several months ago. I was so excited to start reading and the author exceeded all my expectations.

The White family are such wonderful characters. They make everyone feel right at home and try to make their tree farm experience as merry as possible. Holly hands her hands full as she has been put in charge of all the building choices for the new inn, in addition to helping her mother in the cafe and making her glass jewelry, a business that has really taken off.

I wanted to sit back with a couple of cups of hot chocolate and savor my visit to Mistletoe, but there is so much happening that was impossible. The author sets a brisk pace and fully draws the reader in. Chasing down clues, running from a creepy Claus, keeping up with the tourists, Holly takes on a wild ride, at times literally! The pages were flying.

Ms. Frost’s descriptions really take us there. A sleigh ride around the tree farm was described in such vivid detail, I was enjoying the scenery and after a scary moment, I was feeling chilled to the bone and was pulling a blanket over myself. The blindfolded games played were also described so well. I easily pictured what was happening and was laughing at loud. Great ideas for family get-togethers too. I also enjoyed the details along the way as the inn neared completion and the entire subplot was heartwarming. I am ready to call in my reservation today.

This was an exciting holiday read, cozy mystery lovers will be overjoyed. It will also get you truly into the holiday spirit. Fun and entertaining, a book you will not want to put down. I loved it and I can’t wait for next year. I already have saved a date on my calendar and added this story to my Best Reads List for 2018. ...more

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Dec 04, 2018 Melissa Rose rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-books, read-in-2018

After having finished Twelve Slays of Christmas last week, I decided to head back into Mistletoe immediately and read ‘Twas the Knife Before Christmas, the second instalment in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series.

I was not let down.

First off, once again, the descriptions of Mistletoe and the Christmas Tree farm were beautifully cosy; I deeply regret that I couldn’t just hop into my book and see Reindeer Games for myself. All of the details from the farm's decor to the smells of the Hearth put ...more

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Jul 17, 2018 Chatting About rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: home-family-hearth, kindle, culinary-cozy, contemporary, netgalley, cozy-mystery, cozy-series, mystery, magical-twist, 2018-cozy-mysteries-read

Reindeer Games is a beautiful Christmas Tree Farm in Mistletoe, Maine, and it’s the perfect winter wonderland to escape to for lots of fun and relaxation. Construction is underway for the new Inn that Holly White will manage, and her family hopes it will be ready by Christmas Day.

Alarm bells start ringing when a local investor, who’s also a womanizer, is found dead in a huge bowl of peppermint candy at the tree lighting ceremony. Caroline, Holly’s best friend, is the top suspect, so Holly starts ...more

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Dec 09, 2018 Brenda rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: christmas, arc, own-read, read-on-kindle, 5000-books, 2018-release, cosy-mystery, net-galley

Holly White’s best friend, Caroline had stood up for herself even though the argument had been public and heard by everyone. But when the next morning, Derek, the person she’d been arguing with, was found stabbed to death, thoughts immediately went to Caroline. It was made much worse by the discovery of her fingerprints on the murder weapon – and only hers. But the marble handled knife, which had her initials on it, had come from her shop – Caroline’s Cupcakes – so of course her prints would be ...more

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Dec 10, 2018 Sabine rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018, seasons-christmas, usa-maine, netgalley-2018

Grab a delicious hot drink and get cozy on your comfy couch. Once again it is time for an intriguing mystery set in Mistletoe, Maine.

At the big tree lighting ceremony in town, Derek, a local investor is found dead in a big glass bowl filled with peppermints. He was seen on TV having a quarrel with Caroline, Holly’s friend, the night before and of course this makes Caroline the top suspect. When Holly starts asking questions to find the real murderer she starts getting threats and it escalates qu ...more

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Dec 21, 2019 Carole (Carole's Random Life in Books) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, library, 2019, cozy, mystery, audio-book

This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.

This was great! I listened to the first book in this series around the holidays last year so I was excited to check out this second installment this season. Each book could be read as a stand-alone even though I think that the relationships between the characters would be best appreciated if the series is read in order. I had a great time with this one and found it to be a wonderful holiday read.

Holly is looking forward to a nice mur This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.

This was great! I listened to the first book in this series around the holidays last year so I was excited to check out this second installment this season. Each book could be read as a stand-alone even though I think that the relationships between the characters would be best appreciated if the series is read in order. I had a great time with this one and found it to be a wonderful holiday read.

Holly is looking forward to a nice murder-free Christmas. She goes wither her friend Caroline to an event in town where a giant candy bowl is revealed. Unfortunately, this year the bowl of candy has been topped off by a body. The murder weapon near the body is one from Caroline's shop so Holly decided to do a little investigating herself.

I thought that this murder mystery was very well done. I had no idea who the culprit was until it was revealed in the story. Holly is just a wonderful character and she really does seem to have a knack for solving the crimes in Mistletoe. The town does, of course, have a sheriff who is also quite capable and happens to be interested in Holly even if he doesn't always act like it. In fact, I found that the mystery behind the sheriff's behavior to almost as interesting as the murder.

Allyson Ryan did a fantastic job with the narration of this story. I loved all of the voices that she used for the different characters. She added a lot of emotion into her reading which made everything a little more exciting. She read the book at a very nice pace and I found her voice to be very pleasant. I think I enjoyed this book a bit more because I decided to listen to the audiobook.

I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this was a very well done cozy mystery filled with wonderful characters and quite a bit of Christmas spirit. I wouldn't hesitate to read more of this fun series.

Initial Thoughts
This was so much fun! I listened to the first book in this series, Twelve Slays of Christmas, around Christmas last year and enjoyed it so I was excited to give this one a try this year. I thought that the mystery in the story was really well done and the characters were wonderful. The narrator did a fantastic job with the story which added to my enjoyment.

Book source: Library via Hoopla ...more

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Dec 09, 2019 Elle's Book Blog rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: holidays, cozy-mystery

Release Date: November 13, 2018
Actual Rating: 4 stars

Holiday Reads | Cozy Mystery

'Twas the Knife Before Christmas is the second book in the Christmas Tree Farm mystery series. I’ve really been enjoying these books especially because they take place around Christmas which is my favorite holiday. Our lead sleuth in the stories is also a fantastic character and I love her ability to stay focused even when her life spirals out of control.

I’m going to keep this review short because I don’t hav ...more

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Jan 14, 2019 Kimmie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: my-reviews, 2018

I have been looking forward to this book since I finished The Twelve Slays of Christmas last year, and was thrilled when this one came out in time for the holidays. I loved the main character Holly White. She is the queen of multi-tasking, as she juggles helping her parents run the tree farm during the busy holiday season, taking over as head decision-maker for the new inn (currently under construction), managing her in-demand jewelry business, and trying to clear her best friend of murder charg ...more

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Dec 21, 2018 Tari rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

All I can say is this was the most magical Christmas book I've read this season! I love that Holly and Evan are growing closer. Now Ray, the guy from the first book who has been puppy-dog friendly to Holly but she made it clear she didn't want to date him, has finally found someone a little closer to his own age. And so has his mom, but he's less than thrilled over that.

It was getting close to Christmas and a guy that Holly's friend Caroline was seen with arguing at a benefit dinner was found de ...more

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Nov 08, 2018 Barb (Boxermommyreads) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018

If you would have ever told me I'd fall in love with a Christmas cozy series, I'd have said you were nuts. Come on, I'm just not that jolly. However, I have fallen in love with Frost's newest addition to last year's debut. A new murder has taken place right as the festivities for Christmas Tree Farm are beginning. This time, Caroline is not a suspect and instead the police are looking at her friend Holly.Mistletoe, Maine has one of the cast of characters I've met in a long time. The reader reall ...more

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Jun 21, 2018 Ell rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I love holiday themed cozies and Twas the Knife Before Christmas was no exception. The book is endearing and overflowing with Christmas spirit. The characters are fun and likable. The story takes place in Mistletoe, Maine where Holly makes jewelry and manages her family’s Christmas Tree farm and friends Cookie and Caroline own a successful bakeshop. Caroline is suspected of murder after a very public disagreement with a man who got quite “handsy” with her is found dead in the town square. Holly ...more

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Jan 14, 2019 Becky rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: cozy-mystery, holiday

This is my favorite Christmas series. It's so fun and FULL of Christmas! Holly sure gets herself in a lot of trouble trying to prove her best friends innocence. Author Jacqueline Frost sure does know how to write great characters and a perfect cozy town. To Reindeer Games to additions being made, Holly isn't the one spying through out the town. Come see what all is going on in Mistletoe this time! ...more

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Dec 25, 2018 Carla Johnson-Hicks rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-fiction, christmas, cozy-mystery, netgalley

It is Christmas time again in Mistletoe, Maine and Holly is getting ready for all the festivities. Not only that, but she is assisting with the renovations to open an inn on the property of the family tree farm known as Reindeer Games. Her best friend Caroline also needs cheering up after her blowup with her "handsy" date is publicized. Trying to cheer her up, Holly invites her to the tree lighting ceremony. When the tree is lit and the huge candy dish is unveiled, there is Derek, dead in the ca It is Christmas time again in Mistletoe, Maine and Holly is getting ready for all the festivities. Not only that, but she is assisting with the renovations to open an inn on the property of the family tree farm known as Reindeer Games. Her best friend Caroline also needs cheering up after her blowup with her "handsy" date is publicized. Trying to cheer her up, Holly invites her to the tree lighting ceremony. When the tree is lit and the huge candy dish is unveiled, there is Derek, dead in the candy bowl with a knife from Caroline's cupcake shop in him. Of course, she is the main suspect.

Although this is only the second book in the series, I am enjoying it very much. The characters range from smart, independent Holly, Caroline the daughter of the mayor who is always on display and tries to please everyone, to Cookie who loves to bake and has a pet goat named Theodore who she talks to like he is her husband and Evan, a local detective who is Holly's "friend". Holly's parents are a great part of the series, with their protective nature and often being in the right place at the right time. Evan's sister makes an appearance in this story and it looks like she might stick around for a bit. It gives Holly another friend, confidante and sleuth to work with. The plot for this story was well-paced and developed. I enjoyed watching Holly attempt to solve the mystery, putting herself in the path of the killer. There are some close calls that were quite entertaining, yet dangerous. There are a couple of side stories rounding out the book that all made it an enjoyable read. I love the setting of the town that loves and celebrates Christmas is a wonderful way, of course, what else would you expect from a town called Mistletoe. The murderer was on and off my radar as the story progressed, yet the ending was unexpected. Throw in a couple of Christmas miracles and you have a great holiday story. The publisher, Kensington Publishing, generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, opinions and ideas shared are my own. ...more

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Feb 20, 2019 Lisa Ks Book Reviews rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Somehow, I missed the first book in this series, TWELVE SLAYS OF CHRISTMAS. Now having read, ‘TWAS THE KNIFE BEFORE CHRISTMAS I’ll never miss another one!

I’m always a little leery to start a series if I haven’t read the first book. I need not have worried with this second installment of the Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries. Author Jacqueline Frost has a fluid writing style that pulled me in immediately. I instantly fell in love with the first three characters I was introduced to, and that was befor ...more

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Jun 22, 2018 Lisa Morin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Mistletoe, Maine sounds like the perfect Christmas paradise. Unfortunately for Holly White, things are far from perfect.
Her romance is on the rocks and her best friend is accused of murder.
In Twas the Knife Before Christmas, the second in this wonderful series, you will become involved in a devious murder mystery that will keep you reading until you finish.
There are so many laugh out loud moments that I couldn't put the book down.
All the characters are fun and colorful and I simply cannot resist ...more

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Jan 16, 2019 Laura rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is a great book; this is the second book in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series written by Jacqueline Frost. When a body turns up in the dumpster behind Caroline’s Cupcakes, Holly White is horrified to learn her best friend Caroline is the main suspect. Everyone in town, including Mistletoe, Maine’s sheriff, saw Caroline fighting with the victim on the night of his death. Worse, Caroline’s fingerprints are all over the murder weapon, a custom-designed marble rolling pin. This is a great ...more

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Dec 14, 2018 Lorraine rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: anyone who wishes to read a fun Christmassy cozy!

Shelves: series, own, fiction, mystery-cozy, holiday

How I truly love the State of Maine! Mistletoe, Maine I have not visited, but I would very much like to do so, and Holly White, the main character of The Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries, appears to be someone with whom I would love to get in trouble, ah, I mean with whom I would love to sleuth! Jacqueline Frost’s ‘Twas the Knife Before Christmas, (Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #2) has Holly in the sight of another murderer. Last year was bad enough, but in #2 Holly’s best friend, Caroline, had been ...more

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Dec 28, 2018 K.A. Davis rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

‘TWAS THE KNIFE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, the second book in the Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries by Jacqueline Frost, is the first I’ve read in the series but by no means the last. The first few pages had me wanting to sit by a roaring fire hung with stockings and a mug of marshmallow-topped hot cocoa sitting by my side. I was captivated by the cleverness of the settings, the Christmas activities and charming characters which so effectively captured the holiday spirit! Protagonist Holly White’s family own ...more

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Oct 31, 2018 Patty rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

'Twas the Knife Before Christmas by Jacqueline Frost is the 2nd book in A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery, and it was great. I enjoyed this book more than the 1st book, Twelve Slays of Christmas, which is also good. Holly White's family owns the Christmas Tree Farm in Mistletoe, Maine, where Christmas is big business for the little town. I would love to go and drink hot cider, play some Reindeer Games, and take a buggy ride at the Tree Farm. In this book Holly's best friend, Caroline, is a suspect i ...more

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Oct 02, 2018 Peggy R rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: cozy-mystery-books, netgalley, 2018-goodreads-reading-challenge, 2018-crusin-thru-the-cozies, arc, 2018-craving-for-cozies-challenge

This series has quickly become a favorite after only two books. It is well written with fast paced plots that engage the reader from the opening pages. Starting with great characters that are well written with depth, humor and whimsy, coupled with a magical location and season, this book just continues to hit all the high notes that make me come back time and time again to a series. I would highly recommend this book as well as the first. I don't think reader will be disappointed.

Look for this b ...more

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Jan 22, 2020 Christine rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: cozies

Holly White is intent on helping her friend Caroline when a body turns up behind her cupcake shop and she becomes the prime suspect. Holly has her hands full already, making her jewelry and helping run her family's Christmas tree farm. But she is determined to clear Caroline's name. I recently discovered this series and this author. I love everything about this book, from the beautiful Christmas town of Mistletoe to the wonderful written characters. Jacqueline Frost has done a great job in inven ...more

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Sep 07, 2020 Annu rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: cozy-mystery, audio-books

I liked this better than the first book. Holly is a great character. All she wants is to clear the murder charges against her friend, Caroline. And obviously, she's sucked into solving the mystery even though Evans asked her to stay away. Cookie is a hoot, her quips are just funny. I want more of Cookie infact, maybe even Cookie sleuthing with Holly would be fun to read :D ...more

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Dec 25, 2020 Jessica Frances rated it it was amazing

I am loving this series! It's heartwarming, exciting, fun, and fantastic escapism. I hope there will be more to come! Highly recommend the audio version! ...more

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About Jacqueline Frost

Jacqueline Frost

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Jacqueline Frost is a mystery-loving pet enthusiast who hopes to make readers smile. She lives in rural Ohio with her husband and three spunky children. Jacqueline is a member of the International Thriller Writers (ITW) and Sisters in Crime (SinC).